A three-tier autism-training programme to help teachers improve their knowledge of the condition has been launched.
Funded by the government, the Autism Education Trust (AET) aims to raise the level of good practice among all education professionals and school staff working with students aged five to 16.
The programme will be rolled out via seven organisations which are to be appointed as training hubs following £1.2 million worth of funding from the Department for Education's Voluntary and Community Sector Fund.
Basic autism awareness training is available for school staff free of charge, and in September this year two more levels of training will open up.
According to the National Autistic Society, 88,000 pupils currently suffer with autism in mainstream schools in England and a survey last year by the charity found that four out of 10 young sufferers felt that their teachers did not understand autism.
Steve Huggett, director of the AET, said: “Currently there are no nationally recognised standards for teachers in autism education yet all teachers, including NQTs and teaching assistants, can expect to teach a child or young person on the autism spectrum.
“Autism affects each individual differently so it is essential that all teachers – from those newly qualified to experienced headteachers – receive training in appropriate teaching strategies and techniques."
More information is available from the Autism Education Trust.